Vehicle

Abstract

A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed with improved cooling, suspension and drive systems. These features enhance the utility of the vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A front suspension for a utility vehicle, comprising:
 an upper control arm comprising a front leg and a rear leg; 
 a lower control arm positioned vertically lower than the upper control arm and comprising a front leg and a rear leg; and 
 a shock absorber operably coupled to the lower control arm and positioned longitudinally rearward of at least one of the front and rear legs of the upper control arm, wherein the shock absorber is positioned longitudinally rearward of both the front and rear legs of the upper control arm. 
 
     
     
       2. The front suspension of  claim 1 , wherein an upper extent of the shock absorber includes a shock mount configured to be coupled to a frame assembly of the utility vehicle, and the shock mount is vertically above the upper control arm. 
     
     
       3. The front suspension of  claim 1 , wherein the lower control arm includes a first mount configured to operably couple with a lower extent of the shock absorber at a position longitudinally intermediate the front and rear legs. 
     
     
       4. The front suspension of  claim 3 , wherein the lower control arm includes a second mount for operably coupling to a front ground-engaging member of the utility vehicle, and the first mount of the lower control arm is positioned longitudinally rearward of the second mount. 
     
     
       5. The front suspension of  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear legs of the upper control arm are positioned longitudinally forward of the rear leg of the lower control arm. 
     
     
       6. A utility vehicle, comprising:
 at least one front ground-engaging member configured to rotate about a front axis of rotation; 
 at least one rear ground-engaging member configured to rotate about a rear axis of rotation; 
 a frame assembly supported by the at least one front ground-engaging member and the at least one rear ground-engaging member and extending longitudinally; and 
 a front suspension assembly comprising:
 at least one control arm operably coupled to the at least one front ground-engaging member, wherein the at least on control arm includes a lower control arm and an upper control arm; and 
 a shock absorber operably coupled to the at least one front ground-engaging member and positioned longitudinally rearward of the front axis of rotation, wherein the lower control arm includes a first leg, a second leg, and a mount for the shock absorber positioned longitudinally intermediate the first and second legs. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The utility vehicle of  claim 6 , further comprising a steering assembly including a steering wheel and at least one steering arm operably coupled to the steering wheel, and at least an upper extent of the shock absorber at a vertical height equal to a vertical height of a portion of the steering wheel. 
     
     
       8. The utility vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one control arm is vertically aligned with a portion of the at least one steering arm. 
     
     
       9. The utility vehicle of  claim 6 , further comprising a body assembly supported by the frame assembly and the body assembly includes at least a hood, and an upper extent of the shock absorber is coupled to a portion of the frame assembly at a position directly below the hood. 
     
     
       10. The utility vehicle of  claim 6 , wherein the shock absorber is operably coupled to the at least one control arm. 
     
     
       11. The utility vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the shock absorber is coupled to the lower control arm. 
     
     
       12. The utility vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the shock absorber is operably coupled to the frame assembly at a position longitudinally rearward of the upper control arm. 
     
     
       13. The utility vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the upper control arm includes a first leg and a second leg, and the shock absorber is positioned longitudinally rearward of both the first and second legs. 
     
     
       14. A front suspension assembly of a utility vehicle, comprising:
 an upper control arm comprising a front leg and a rear leg; 
 a lower control arm positioned vertically lower than the upper control arm and comprising a front leg and a rear leg; and 
 a shock absorber operably coupled to the lower control arm and including an upper mount and a lower mount, the lower mount is coupled to the lower control arm, and the upper mount is positioned longitudinally rearward of the lower mount, wherein the front and rear legs of the upper control arm are positioned longitudinally forward of the rear leg of the lower control arm. 
 
     
     
       15. The front suspension assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the upper mount is configured to be coupled to a frame assembly of the utility vehicle, and the upper mount is at a vertical height greater than that of the upper control arm. 
     
     
       16. The front suspension assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the lower control arm includes a front leg and a second leg, and the lower mount of the shock absorber is configured to operably couple with the lower control arm at a position longitudinally intermediate the front and rear legs. 
     
     
       17. The front suspension assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the lower mount of the shock absorber is positioned intermediate the front and rear legs of the lower control arm.